SideCutting Knife

Apex Arachnoid Knives: Designed by Neurosurgeons for Use by Neurosurgeons

3.0 mm blade length and 0.9 mm tip width

Safe Precise Dissection: Slim profile with safe edge allows for safety and precision in tight areas.

The Sidecutting Knife has the same safe edge as the Backcutting Knife but is not angled.
Because of its slim profile, it fits into areas where the angled distance between the heel and tip of the Backcutting Knife would limit its maneuverability.
Because of its slim profile, the sharp tip of the Sidecutting knife is less visible than that of the Backcutting Knife in deep operations. However, this knife can fit in areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.

(Click image to enlarge) Some surgeons are comfortable holding the smooth tapered distal portion of the handle and “choking up” on the knife during surgery near the surface of the brain or operating with wrist rests. But the primary purpose of the long 4.0" tapered distal shaft is to permit precise delicate controlled microsurgery in any deep seated location.

(Click image to enlarge) The shorter handle length permits surgeons to rest their hands on the patient and maintain meticulous control at superficial depths. If a surgeon is working on a deep seated lesion, this length will be effective for opening the Sylvian or interhemispheric fissure before switching to a longer instrument.

(Click image to enlarge) The bayonet handle was created for the 30% of neurosurgeons who only use bayoneted instruments. While the bayonet handle provides better visibility, there is a trade-off in that the handle can’t be rotated to change the orientation of the blade as can be done with a straight instrument.

(Click image to enlarge) The short bayonet handles provide an instrument with facility and control for neurosurgeons operating at more superficial depths. The 1.0" and 2.0" distal shaft lengths enable surgeons to change their depth without changing their operative style or forgoing the stability gained by resting their hands on the patient. These instrument options are more effective for a large number of common cerebrovascular and skull base approaches.

(Click image to enlarge) The extended bayonet handle with its 6.0" tapered distal shaft is intended for precise surgery in relatively inaccessible regions of the brain, where the standard bayonet would not be usable. The 0.25" diameter proximal portion of the handle is shortened from 4.0" to 3.0" to keep the overall length usable in the field and to facilitate approach to more inaccessible lesions.